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It was a busy day in the IPL that sorted out the three out of the top four positions. RCB’s loss gave CSK, MI and RR some breathing space while the Kings’ made a serious case for themselves to go through to the play offs. It was a day that belonged to the two of the most dangerous wicket-keeper batsmen. If Gilchrist came back to rescue the IPL campaign for his side, MS Dhoni‘s blinder secured the play off position for Chennai. Along with the two captains, here are a few men who shined with their startling performances.
Chris Gayle
The start of the day was strange. Chris Gayle struggled to time the ball and the failed to connect the big ones. The big man from Jamaica was troubled repeatedly by the Kings XI medium pacers who bowled a tight line and looked to swing the ball. Gayle looked rather uncomfortable but didn’t throw his wicket away. However, the scene changed after the 12th over. The balls started flying to all parts of the ground and Chris Gayle looked in ominous touch. He carted the Kings XI bowling for 6 sixes and threatened to score his second ton but lost his stumps after a very well made 77.
The RCB captain has been in terrific touch. He came out after Pujara was knocked over and kept the scoreboard moving on a tough track. With a struggling Gayle at the other end, he concentrated on the singles and laid the platform for a big total. Once he settled down, the stylish right-hander unleashed his array of shots and took RCB to a respectable total.
Azhar Mahmood
Finally, the former Pakistani all-rounder fired. After a successful IPL last season, Mahmood has a quite tournament so far. Though he picked up a few wickets, his batting was way off the mark and understandably lost his place. But today, the 38-year old was at the top of his game. He took the new ball, swung it both ways and kept Gayle quite. Not only was he economical, he nipped out two wickets as well. But coming in at number three, Mahmood delivered the knock out punch. He added 118 runs with the Adam Gilchrist and sealed the game for the Kings.
Adam Gilchrist
A captain’s knock was needed and the captain stepped up. There has been a lot said about Adam Gilchrist’s batting this IPL, but tonight the former Aussie wicket-keeper silenced all his critics. The dashing left-hander took on the RCB bowlers and remained unbeaten to see his team past the line. He was at his devastating best as he cut and pulled with authority and deposited Murali out of the attack. The knock that had 10 fours and 3 sixes, rolled back the clock and reminded the viewers that on his day, Gilly can pull off a Gayle, and even do better!
MS Dhoni
If a wicket-keeper batsman lighted up Mohali, another one decided to have some fun at Chennai. MS Dhoni, yet again, bailed Chennai Super Kings out on a day when the top order failed to provide the runs. This IPL, Dhoni has often come out at number four and has attacked the bowling from the word Go. Today, he farmed the CSK innings along with Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo and helped them get to a 170 plus score. It was an intelligent innings from the CSK captain who mixed aggression with caution to avert any danger that the side faced. He ran hard between the wickets and then sent the ball out of the stadium when the moment arrived.
Albie Morkel
Coming into the side for Chris Morris, Albie Morkel stepped up to the plate with the ball. The South African all-rounder broke the back of the Delhi middle order with three big wickets. Though his economy was on the higher side, he did his job with the quick strikes.
R. Ashwin
4 overs 19 runs and 2 wickets – the change in action did the trick. Ashwin has not been in the best of form this IPL and has not taken as many wickets as he would have liked. Today, however, he bowled with immaculate precision and stiffled the Delhi batsmen. He bowled tight lines and didn’t let the batsmen off the hook. The batsmen failed to read his variations and often were lured into false strokes as they went in search for the big ones.
Mohit Sharma
This youngster is the discovery of the IPL. As the tournament has progressed, he has gained more composer and has looked one of the better bowlers for his side. Tonight, he came out firing and snapped up Virender Sehwag with his second ball of the innings The wicket did wonders to his confidence and it showed in the speedometer. Even though Unmukt Chand hit him for a couple of sixes, he came back strongly to pick up a couple of wickets.
